THE AUTHORSHIP OF THE BOOK OF REVELATION

The Authorship of the Book of Revelation

One of the most disputed questions among the scholars. Covers period, place, people, and purpose.

+The period during which the book was written. Three dates:

- The early date - 68-70. Most scholars take this position. Such as Westcott, Lightfoot, Hort, Salmon, Sanday.
- The external evidence is weak. Late fathers, etc.
         The internal evidence is strong (so regarded by these men).
            Content fits in with the early period. Nero and Roman Empire.
            Chronology also fits in with the period.
            Character fits in with early period: style, ideas, vocabulary.

- The late date - 100 A.D. or later. Endorsed by men such as Volter, Vischer, Weczacher, Weyland, Pfleiderer, Spitta, Harnack. This is based upon the idea that the book is not a unity, many hands having a part with editors, etc. But this falls of its own dead weight. Too many varieties, etc.

- The traditional date - 95-96. Good scholars hold this view. Held by Alford, Swete, W. Milligan, Orr, Moffatt, Zahn.
External evidence is very strong. Irenaeus says specif­ically when the book was written. And he had direct contact with John through Polycarp.
Internal evidence can be measured and supported.
         Chronology fits in with the times of Dimitian. (81-96). Tribulation not general, not the great, but special in times of persecution.
         Content of ideas also fits when a proper approach is made. John's Name; 1:1, 4, 9; 21:2; 22:8.
         Character of the book is likewise explainable.
            -  Subject matter differs from Gospel.
            -  State also differs from that when he wrote the Gospel (1:10). "I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet."
                                           -  Style is a reversion to native tongue - Hebrew. But the Greek is good Greek.
            -  Source material is the Old Testament (Rev. 10:7). "But in the days of the voice of the seventh angel, when he shall begin to sound, the mystery of God should be finished, as he hath declared to his servants the prophets."
             - Symbolism is from the Old Testament (Rev. 4:2 ff). "And immediately I was in the spirit; and, behold, a throne was set in heaven, and one sat on the throne...."

         + The place of the writing of the book.

- The Isle of Patmos (1:9) was the place the message was received and therefore could easily have been written in full there. "Was" may mean that John is not now on the Island as he writes. "I John, who also am your brother, and companion in tribulation, and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was in the isle that is called Patmos, for the word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ."
- The City of Ephesus may have been the place where the message was finally put into book form for distribution among the churches. He was released under Emperor Nerva and he returned to Ephesus.

         + The people to whom the book was written.

- The ultimate destination is marked at the very outset. 1:1 "The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to show unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John."
"Servants" refers to Christians in general. This statement does not in any way limit the destination and therefore it is correct to assume that all believers everywhere are in mind. The practical applications are always made with a view to that.
- The immediate destination is seven local churches in Asia Minor. 1:4, 11 cf. 2:1, 8, 12, 18; 3:1, 7, 14; 22:9-10, 16.

         + The purpose for which this book was written.

- Predictive: To show things which must shortly come to pass.
Rev. 1:1, 3, 19; 10:11; 19:10; 22:10, 18-19. "The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to show unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John." "Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand." "Write the things which thou hast seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter." And he said unto me, Thou must prophesy again before many peoples, and nations, and tongues, and kings." "And I fell at his feet to worship him. And he said unto me, See thou do it not: I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren that have the testimony of Jesus: worship God: for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy." "And he saith unto me, Seal not the sayings of the prophecy of this book: for the time is at hand." "For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book:" "And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book."
- Practical: To condition present living with the truth of future. 1:3; 2:7, 11, 17, 29; 3:6, 13, 22; 13:18; 18:4; 19:9; 21:5; 22:6-7, 14, 17. "Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand." "He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God." "He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death." "He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it." "He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches." "He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches." "He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches." "He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches." "Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is Six hundred threescore and six." "And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues." "And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he saith unto me, These are the true sayings of God." "And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful." "And he said unto me, These sayings are faithful and true: and the Lord God of the holy prophets sent his angel to show unto his servants the things which must shortly be done." "Behold, I come quickly: blessed is he that keepeth the sayings of the prophecy of this book." "Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city." "And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely."